We've just made 200 posts...that really is quite amazing. And I forgot to say earlier that I haven't composed anything new for months, until yesterday afternoon, when I managed to cobble together 36 bars of an instrumental piece. A modest beginning, but at least it's a start. I really felt the need to create. With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

Creating something new, which in my case, happens to be a piece of Music, takes me to a 'different place' for an hour or two & reminds me that despite everything, Life DOES go on. Over the past few months, our Lives have been changed in ways we could never have imagined or anticipated, but by acknowledging the fact that "Life Goes On", actually enables us to support Jane all the better. With Love to You All, Nigel & Ann xxx

I did that one week in the 1960s. And 'cobble together' is the right term for it, buddy. Worst hangover I ever had.

Music is a key to understanding, or at least a method of sorting things out. When my youngest had that cyst growing in her head, I turned to music and my guitar because there was no where else to turn. Often there IS no where else to turn. And writing/composing lets ya say what ya want without the need for words, none of which ever seem 'right' anyway.

The piece I'm working on is inspired by this thread & the Good People who have become such a vital & integral part...my Rainbow Crew. Please be patient, I don't work very quickly, but when it's finished, you will be the first to know. It's dedicated to all of you...the best way I know to say thank you for your compassion, love, prayers, healing thoughts...anything you've done to make Jane whole again. A working title might even be: "The Rainbow Crew"...what do you think? With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

David, I'm assuming the 'Notre Dame' to which you refer is in Paris. A beautiful city that Ann & I have visited many times, including Notre Dame. Whether one is a 'believer' or not, it is virtually impossible not to be overawed. Your candle will shine some welcome light into a shadowy corner of our lives. With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

Nigel Paterson, I'm not especially good at visualizing (being stronger in auditory processing), but as much as I can I will keep your image - Jane standing in some wide open space, way out in the countryside, bathed in sunlight, with the rays of sun gently healing her - in my mind. And if I can "audiolize" some healing music to go with it, I will do that too.

Ann & I went right back to the start of this thread & re-read every post. There's something very special happening here. We still find it incredible that so many Good People are prepared to support us, intercede for us or simply pass the time of day with us. Despite the horrors that we read in our papers & watch on the TV News, my belief that Humankind is fundamentally good in it's intentions remains unshakable. The microcosm that is this thread proves that over & over, day after day after day. With Love to You All, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

I've spent several hours today shredding redundant paperwork. Although somewhat noisy, I found it surprisingly relaxing & distracting. Had to stop eventually as the shredder became hot enough to cook on! I do recommend it as a short term panacea...the operative words being: 'short term'. The all-encompassing reality of Jane & her health confronts us, which ever way we turn. As each day passes, that realisation bears down upon us insidiously & inexorably. With Love to You All, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

I refuse to shred my mountain. I am gonna wait until the 8th anniversary of closing my company and have bonfire. Might even invite Revenue Canada. There's one auditor there I would like to accidently nudge into the fire.

gnu, there are a couple of doctors who might be joining your 'Revenue Men' on the bonfire. I rather like the idea of an 'accidental' nudge! And just for the record, I shredded all my cell phone bills going back as far as 2001. At least now they might be recycled into something useful! With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

I've made my Rog promise to cremate everything of mine which he or my children and friends don't want. (I don't like the idea of anything I've held dear just going into a rubbish heap or sent off to charity, though I have no problem doing either as I live and breath!:-)I 'spose that could include a lot of paper, but I tend to shred on a regular basis.

Nigel, I hope there will be a way for us to hear your composition, soon. When I first started writing for publication etc., I found my best stuff came out of great strife, joy, or challenges. The high emotions fed the creative muse. Now, for my own sake, it's better that I do it as a matter of course, though there are still those *sparks* which guide and inspire. I am glad you have found such an outlet as you, Ann, and Jane go through these rough seas.

For inclusion under the title: "You'll never guess what happened to me....." Last night/this morning (00.01) to be precise, Mrs.P & I are safely tucked up in bed & the phone rings. As you can imagine, with our current situation being what it is, a call at this hour tends to up the old heart rate a notch or six. It wasn't the hospital, it wasn't our Son-in-Law...it was our telephone service provider reminding us, courtesy of a recorded message, that they would be coming round next week to upgrade our landline...AT ONE MINUTE PAST BLOODY MIDNIGHT! I lodged a very strongly worded complaint as soon as they were open for business this morning. As soon as I hear anything, I'll let you all know just how far between their legs they were prepared to put their tail! With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

Its womens world day of prayer tomorrow (Friday) so we have asked our local service to remember you in their prayers. Found out today how sharp a rabbits teeth are when one of the little blighters (we have three) decided to attack? Its great to hold a small animal and it can be very relaxing - may be worth a try to releive stress. Love & best wishes Pete

There's something I've been wanting to say for weeks, but words like 'mawkish' & 'maudlin' keep getting in the way, but finally, here goes. In high school I was bullied incessantly from the age of 12 until 16. The physical pain is long gone, but some of the psychological wounds remain unhealed to this very day. Gradually, over time, one by one, my 'friends' deserted me. Understandable really...if they were seen fraternising with me, they got beaten up. Why am I writing about this? Well, all You Good People reading this have become/replaced the friends I lost (And never regained). I know the circumstances are completely different, but it's your persistence, loyalty, compassion, love & humour...qualities I have always looked for & treasured, that you bring to me every day via this thread. It's strange yet true that a large group of people, most of whom I will never meet, have become the dearest, most trusted Friends a man could ever wish for. May the goodness You bestow on Jane , Ann & Myself be reinvested one hundredfold on your Families & in your Lives. With Love to our Rainbow Crew, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx